Target tests program for restocking household essentials

NEW YORK — Target is testing a program that lets customers order household essentials like laundry detergent, paper towels and peanut butter and have them delivered to their homes the next day.

The service, being tested with employees for now, is similar to Amazon Pantry, and comes as Target is trying to enhance its online services to better compete with Wal-Mart and online leader Amazon.

Target Restock, announced on the company’s blog, is limited for now to employees at the company’s headquarters in Minneapolis. Target says it plans to pilot the service in the same area this summer to shoppers in its REDcard loyalty program.

The program will include more than 8,000 items, including nonperishable food like granola bars and coffee. Shoppers will be able to fill a box with up to 45 pounds of goods and have the orders shipped for what Target called “a low flat fee.” Spokesman Eddie Baeb said the company doesn’t have a fee set but intends to be “very competitive” with similar offerings. Amazon Pantry charges a $5.99 a box and the shipping is not expedited. Target Restock boxes will be packaged at a nearby store, allowing Target workers to fulfill orders before 1:30 p.m. by the next business day.

Baeb said there are no current plans for a nationwide rollout, and any expansion depends on the performance of the service. “There are lots of logistics we want to figure out,” he said.

Target quietly raised its threshold for free shipping to $35 from $25 on Sunday, matching Wal-Mart’s current level. Target had lowered it to $25 from $50 in 2015.

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